The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbodiyan, has predicted a looming crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of Malam Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, officially resigned from the APC on Monday, March 10, 2025, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and governance style. In his resignation statement, he criticized the APC for “castrating its organs” and treating members “with contempt.”
Reacting to the defection, Ologbodiyan, speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show,’ argued that El-Rufai’s exit will spark a major crisis within the APC.
“There will be an implosion in President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s party, the APC. Anybody in doubt should look at what has happened with El-Rufai’s resignation. He is a founding machine of the APC, and if such a key figure can leave, imagine what follows,” Ologbodiyan stated.
El-Rufai played a crucial role in the formation of the APC and was a key strategist in the party’s rise to power in 2015. His departure raises questions about internal divisions and the party’s future cohesion.
Despite the internal turmoil in the PDP, Ologbodiyan urged the media to empower opposition voices, emphasizing that democracy cannot thrive without a strong opposition.
“Let us find a way to embolden the opposition because, without opposition, there is no democracy,” he said.
On the possibility of forming a coalition against the APC, Ologbodiyan revealed that the PDP has not yet finalized its position. However, he hinted that the party might align with other political groups to strengthen the opposition movement.
“One of either Abubakar Atiku’s faction or Nyesom Wike’s group will likely join the proposed coalition,” he added.
As political tensions rise, El-Rufai’s defection could be the first of many shifts in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, setting the stage for realignments ahead of the next elections.
